CHAPTER IX.
A BREAK IN THE CHAIN.
It was late in the afternoon before I woke, strengthened and refreshed. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him, save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. He looked across at me as I stirred, and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled.
'You have slept soundly,' he said. 'I feared that our talk would wake you.'
'I heard nothing,' I answered. 'Have you had fresh news, then?'
'Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. I expected something definite by this time. Wiggins has
